Funding for Michigan’s PSAPs and 911 system comes from the local general fund, millage funds, local surcharge, state surcharge and other funding sources. Annual expenses of all PSAPs in Michigan in 2011 were $208,641,812.41 (with the exception of Manistee and Kalamazoo Counties, who did not report their 911 expenditures that year).

Leading employers of Michigan 911 dispatchers include:

Auburn Hills Police Department, Auburn Hills

Oakland Police Department, Bloomfield Hills

University of Michigan Police Department, Ann Arbor

Saginaw County 911 Communications Center, Saginaw

Livingston County 911 Emergency Dispatch, Howell

Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office, Detroit

Midland County Central Dispatch, Midland

Education and Training for 911 Dispatchers in Michigan

Postings for 911 dispatcher jobs in Michigan generally list that a minimum of a high school diploma is required as the educational prerequisite. They also state that an associate’s degree is preferred. Degrees should be in one of the following areas, and include the courses listed below:

Certificate in 911 Telecommunications – courses include:

Suicide Intervention

911 Liability

Stress Management

Domestic Violence

Associate of Arts in Applied Speech Communication – courses include:

Fundamentals of Public Speaking

Interpersonal Communication

Small Group Decision Making

Associate of Science in Business – courses include:

Business Law

Fundamentals of Speech

Introduction to Business

In-Service Training for 911 Dispatchers in Michigan

The Michigan State 911 Committee has set forth dispatcher training standards that all 911 dispatchers in the state must meet. They include: